Author's Note: I don't own Sherlock Holmes or any of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's characters. I wish I did though, does that count for something? No? You make me sad, so be it!

Chapter 6 Truths Are Told

"I am so glad you could join us, Mr. Holmes," Moriarty said with a cold smile, "Then again, I knew you would come. I think you know why as well."

"Well, well Moriarty," Holmes said, his eyes full of hatred, "It seems the fall has not damaged your mental abilities."

"I could say the same thing about you, Holmes."

Victoria watched this with confusion and I as well. Sherlock growled at his mistress' side and Moriarty turned to the dog.

"Ah yes, the infamous Sherlock dog," he said with a laugh that had no warmth at all, "Tell me, is he just as smart as the man he is named after?"

"He is smarter than you if that's what you mean," said Victoria icily.

Moriarty laughed aloud, causing the girl to shiver but never back away.

"Just like your father, you think you are so clever." Irene frowned and looked at the Professor curiously.

"Don't you talk about my father that way!" Victoria shouted furiously, "What have you done with him?"

"Could this be true?" the Professor asked, laughing more than ever, "She does not know anything? Oh, this becomes more interesting by the second!"

Holmes face was usually unreadable. But now, it was full of horror as he shook his head. Victoria looked at Holmes, as did I. I was quite lost in everything but seeing Holmes showing that much emotion in front of his enemy had me worried.

"Oh my God," Irene whispered, her face white.

"My dear, your father is quite safe. In fact, he is right here before your very eyes," said the Professor, "The man I have under lock and key is your uncle. Your mother had asked him to care for you like the father you never had, and he did just that."

"What?" Victoria whispered, looking at all the men around her, "Who…Who is it?"

"I will let you guess."

She looked at the wardrobe man, then Moriarty, then myself, and finally Holmes. Her eyes lingered on his hawk-like eyes, tall lean body, and I knew there was a match. That would explain everything, her amazing observation, her attention to details.

"Holmes?" I asked, my voice barely audible, "Is…Is she your daughter?"

Holmes was not looking at me, but at Victoria. There was a pause and then he nodded. Moriarty let out a bark of laughter that would have frozen beer. Irene was too shocked to move or even retaliate when Moriarty shoved her into the room until it was too late.

"I shall let you two catch up then!" he said and left the room with the wardrobe man and closed the door with a slam. Irene rushed toward the door and shouted furiously after the men, but to no avail. She kicked the door and sat on the ground in a huff. Victoria followed suit, Sherlock whining as he licked her hands. She was shaking her head as Holmes and I joined her on the floor.

"I met your mother during a case a long time ago," Holmes said, his eyes off in another world, "She was nothing like I had ever met before. She paid attention to every detail, she never minded that I knew almost everything about her just by observing, and she was quite a musician.

"I was in love instantly but my career required me to cut off all connections to those around me. I told her this, but she would not leave me. She said she did not care what happened to her, as long as we were together. She was quite stubborn, a trait that I believe to be genetic," he said with a chuckle but continued, "We were married quietly within a month of our meeting each other.

"Because of the fear that criminals could use your mother to get to me, we lived separate lives. It was painful, but it had to be done. One day, your mother told me she was with child and I was so happy. But then, I realized things would become more complicated and I did not believe a child should live without a father. I finally convinced your mother to live with her brother and have him be the 'father' for the child.

"When I learned she had died in childbirth, I was heartbroken. I could not, and would not, believe that it had happened. I attended the funeral disguised as a family member but I wept bitterly. I should have been there when she was dying, maybe I could have done something." He paused for a moment to steady himself and continued, "I tried to care for you in anyway I could but my job does not pay as well as I would like. There were times when money was tight but when I could, I sent money to help you in your education. I wanted you to be as smart as the schools allowed."

Victoria listened without a word. She never looked at Holmes, but at her dog as he lay on the floor.

"Why did you not take me with you?" she asked, still not looking up.

"I was afraid for your safety," said Holmes, shaking his head, "There have been times that I wanted to go to your apartment and tell you everything, but I thought it best if you did not know. I only did everything because I thought was best for you. I…I am sorry that I have not been there to see you grow up."

Victoria finally looked at Holmes with tears in her eyes. She then threw her arms around his slight frame and began sobbing. Holmes took a moment to recover and held his daughter close with shining eyes. Even I felt the pricks of tears forming in my eyes at this happy reunion even if it was in such a horrid place under terrible circumstances.

The two finally parted and Victoria wiped her eyes.

"I am sorry I left," she said, "It was foolish of me to think I could find my father…I mean my uncle without help. I brought you into this trap and put you in danger."

"We will find a way out of here," I said kindly and Holmes nodded in agreement. Victoria managed a small smile and turned her attention to Phillips. He was bleeding a little from his head.

"Will he be all right, Dr. Watson?" she asked worriedly as she wiped more tears from her eyes.

"I believe so, my dear," I said, looking the young man over, "His head will smart when he wakes up, but other than that he will make a full recovery."

She let out a sigh of relief and began looking around the room, her eyes resting on Irene. They went cold instantly with such intensity that Irene must have felt the gaze on her and looked up. I was taken aback by how deflated the older woman looked. Her air of confidence was gone as well as the light behind her eyes.

"Where is he?" growled Victoria.

"I don't know," Irene said with a sigh. Even her voice sounded different, perhaps more tired? "The Professor only asked me to keep an eye on his men and report on the situation at Baker Street. I know nothing. I'm sorry."

Victoria looked at the woman for a moment and let out a sigh of her own. She then began to continue looking around the room for a means of escape. Holmes was doing the same thing and I almost laughed at myself. Why had I not seen the relationship before? Those two were so much alike, it was as if they shared each others' thoughts.

There was a groan and Phillips sat up, rubbing the back of his head. Victoria went over to him with a relieved smile and helped him sit up.

"How are you feeling?" she asked gently.

"All right," he muttered, looking at Victoria with a smile, "Thank you."

She helped him to his feet and they went around the room, walking off the stiffness in Phillips' limbs. Meanwhile, I saw both father and daughter continue to look about the room with their calculating stares. Finally, Holmes stood up and began pacing. I put my hands in the pockets of my coat and found I still had my revolver. It seemed Moriarty had forgotten to have us searched.

"Holmes?" I said and he turned to me. I showed him the weapon I had and I saw the wheels turning in his head.

"Hmm, I believe I know a way out of here," he said, "Give me a moment to finalize the details. Detective Phillips, you do not happen to still have your weapon, do you?"

"No Mr. Holmes," the young man said sorrowfully, "The large man ripped it out of my grasp before knocking me to the ground."

"I do."

Irene stood up and hitched up her skirts. The men in the room quickly averted their eyes and Holmes didn't look up until she pressed the gun into his hands.

"They always forget to search the woman," she said quietly with a ghost of a smile.

Holmes took the weapon with a nod of thanks and said, "Victoria, press an ear and eye to the keyhole and tell me if you see guards. I am sure Mr. Phillips will still be standing when you return."

Victoria nodded and went to the door, if not slightly more colored than before Holmes had spoken. She listened hard and looked through the small hole. When she faced us, she looked happy.

"No one is out there," she said, "I think they must have thought we would be much too upset to plan an escape. Shall I unlock the door?"

"How?" I asked with a frown. This was too much for my brain to take in at once. "Do you have the key?"

"There are other ways of opening locked doors, Doctor," said Victoria with a smile. She took out the pins in her hair and set to work as some strands of her hair fell down her back. We all heard the satisfying sound of a lock opening and Holmes took two long strides so he was in front of Victoria, loading his own gun, handing mine and Irene's back while Victoria pinned her hair back up.

"Stay behind me," he whispered to us all, "Victoria, are you able to carry the dog?"

"Of course," she said and held the dog in her arms. Sherlock seemed to know to be quiet because he did not object to being held.

Holmes went down first, followed by Irene, Victoria, and Sherlock, then Phillips and I, Phillips leaning on me for support as we went. We had just reached the bottom floor when I thought to myself how easy this escape had been. Then, suddenly, there were gunshots.

Holmes banged open the front door and pushed Phillips, Victoria, and Irene out, shouting for them to run. I was shooting at the attacking men and soon Holmes came to my aid. The smell of gunpowder was overwhelming as bullets ricocheted off the walls and doors, and the sound of guns firing was almost deafening. Finally, Holmes grabbed my arm and we ran. The men were not following us, but we still ran as fast as we were able to, with Holmes having to drag me sometimes so I could keep up. We dashed all the way until we reached a park and saw Irene, Victoria, Sherlock, and Phillips waiting for us with worried looks. When she saw us, the young girl let out a relieved sigh and threw her arms around her father.

"Thank heavens!" she said, her eyes shinning, "I was getting so worried when you did not come out straight away!"

I saw Phillips looking at Holmes and Victoria with a frown. He caught my eye and I went over to him.

"Is everything…all right, Dr. Watson?" Phillips asked warily.

"It is now, my boy," I said with a smile, "It seems that our young victim is not looking for her father, but her uncle!"

"Is that so?" Phillips asked with a confused expression. His eyes fell once again on the two people who were embracing one another and his expression darkened somewhat. "Tell me Doctor," he said stiffly, "Since when have Mr. Holmes and Miss Victoria become so…close?"

"Oh, forgive me Mr. Phillips," I said with a small laugh, "I forgot you were unconscious at the time. Victoria does have a father: Mr. Holmes."

Phillips expression went from shock, to more confusion, to gloom, to blank within a matter of seconds. He nodded at me.

"Congratulations to them both then," he said politely, "But what of her uncle? What did Professor Moriarty want with him?"

"I believe he tried to lure Holmes there," I said thoughtfully, "He knew that Victoria would attempt to find her father by herself and that Holmes would go after her to rescue her. Although, I am not entirely sure why he would not just kidnap the girl and make things easier for himself."

"Did Mr. Holmes know Miss Victoria was really his daughter?" Phillips asked. I shrugged unknowingly and he continued, "Then why would Mr. Holmes rescue a young lady he had never met before? Mr. Holmes had to know who Miss Victoria was before he attempted to stop Professor Moriarty from harming her."

I nodded and saw that the two family members were talking now. Holmes suggested we all go back to the apartment and clean up, afterwards discussing what the next steps were to be. We all agreed this was a good idea and I managed to hail a hansom to take us back. I turned to Holmes to ask if he was ready and found him talking quietly with Irene a few feet away. I could not hear the conversation but Holmes was gesturing to the hansom and Irene looked unsure. Finally, she nodded reluctantly and got inside. As the rest of us were all getting in, Victoria turned to see Phillips getting ready to close the door from the outside.

"Are you coming, Detective?" she asked with a frown.

"I unfortunately have pressing business at Scotland Yard that I must see to," he said with a slight bow, "I am sure Mr. Holmes or yourself will brief me when I am able to return."

"And when will that be?" she asked, her usually well-hidden emotions showing that she was upset he was not joining them.

"I am not entirely sure," Phillips said, "But if I do not see you again, it was an honor meeting you Miss Holmes."

"But surely," I cried, leaning forward in the cart, "You will continue helping us with the case?"

"I believe you are capable of handling it alone for a while. Good day Mr. Holmes, Dr. Watson, Miss Adler, Miss Holmes," said Phillips and shut the hansom door, knocking on it so the driver knew they were ready.

The hansom lurched and we were off. I saw Victoria looking out the window with a mixture of confusion and hurt on her face. I was not the only one looking confused, for Holmes was frowning as his brow was furrowed in deep thought. Irene was looking at her hands without seeing them and I could have sworn I saw her eyes shining. I just sighed and stared out the window as the carriage traveled down the streets of London, wondering what could have caused our young detective to leave our services so suddenly.

Author's Note: So Victoria's identity is revealed! I know a lot of you guessed she was related to Holmes so congrats to you all for figuring it out. However, the mysteries don't end here. There is plenty more fun for the famous sleuth and his companions. Just to give you a heads up, I am leaving this Friday for two weeks and will not be able to update. The story is all typed up on my computer so all I have to do is put them up. My plan is to have it all up before I leave so I will be updating a couple times tomorrow and hopefully on Friday. Thank you to all my awesome reviewers, those who put me on their favorites, and have me on alerts. It's such a wonderful feeling to know you are enjoying my story just as much as I enjoy writing it! Remember, I love hearing what you think of my story so go ahead and press that review button. I dare you! :)